Cryptic crossword No 2,977

I swear your puzzles are getting trickier -which is no criticism. Some very left field definitions add to the fun. Particular faves: 6a,13a,23a,25a and 3d,8d,9d,20d. Merry Christmas to you, thanks for a great deal of enjoyment all year!

Timely message, thank you. Lots to enjoy, and I'll be back later with a list! Merry Christmas, Gennaro! It's always a pleasure to sit with one of your creations.

Will do! Thanks for the "vitality" message. Faves: 13a, 14a is very nice, 23a (whew - took me a bit), 25a, 5d (love a good sub), 16d (another whew!). Many thanks for this, & thanks for all your support and encouragement of my own puzzles. Happy holidays to you!

12a is genius!

Thanks Gennaro. Just what I needed on Boxing Day after fruitless attempts at 3 John Henderson puzzles in the dailies. Thanks, Gennaro, for providing some relief. Nice theme message to go with the nice approachable cluing - though I'd probably agree with Kateh that they are gradually getting a little trickier. Thanks. PM

Thanks for the puzzle Gennaro. Glad I remembered to come back to this after the holiday -- lots of cool stuff here. 10a, 12a, 13a, 23a, 5d, 16d, 21d were the standouts for me this go around. Some spoiler-y elaboration in reply